Nigeria (Common Wealth)_ Some suspected political thugs using sticks and other dangerous things surrounded the governorship tribunal that was in session at the Magistrate Court in Abeokuta and beaten up alleged court opposition, and journalists despite the fact that there was considerable security present at the court as early as 7 am.
A heavy and fully armed squad of military personnel blocked off the road leading to the location, Magistrates’ Court, Isabo. As the Tribunal started meeting, a sizable contingent of thugs showed up to promote their respective political parties.
As a brief altercation broke out between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), some of the thugs were seen wielding canes.
Before normalcy could be restored, security officers from the police, DSS, and Civil Defense had to intervene to scatter the thugs.
When the intimidating goons were present at the Court’s gate the People’s Democratic Party chieftain (PDP), Segun Showunmi, reportedly approached the security guards at the gate to introduce himself when the thugs attacked him with sticks. He almost avoided capture, though. In the ensuing violence, in addition to Showunmi, a few political party supporters were also beaten.
Adebutu’s lead attorney, Chris Uche, SAN, informed the Tribunal within the court that many of the petitioner’s supporters had been barred from attending the proceedings.
Uche claimed that in order to allow the plaintiffs to witness the proceedings, a live broadcast of the hearing had also been prohibited.
The Ogun State Governorship Tribunal session is anticipated to, among other things, ascertain the actual winner of the March 18 governorship election, in which incumbent Dapo Abiodun was proclaimed victorious but is now facing opposition from Ladi Adebutu of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Abiodun received 276 298 votes, beating out his nearest competitors Ladi Adebutu of the PDP, who received 262 383 votes, and Biyi Otegbeye of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who received 94 754 votes.
Adebutu then requested that the tribunal order INEC to hold new elections in 99 polling places throughout 16 of the state’s 20 local government areas, 41 wards, and 41 electoral districts.
Adebutu urged the tribunal to order INEC to hold new elections in 99 polling units across 41 wards and 16 of the state’s 20 local government areas in an effort to challenge Governor Abiodun’s victory.
The PDP candidate further claimed that due to violence, interruption of the process, and excessive voting, the election was either not held or called off in certain polling places.
